Chain Reaction Innovations (CRI) Cohort 2027

About

Argonne National Laboratory’s Chain Reaction Innovations 2027 cohort is a two-year, stipend-supported fellowship for U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident energy and science technology founders, with applications due 30 October 2026 at 5 p.m. CT and selected innovators embedding at Argonne near Chicago.

Benefits

• Selected innovators receive a two-year fellowship period at Argonne, subject to DOE funding availability.
  Innovators are expected to gather additional outside funding and graduate after two years.

Eligibility Criteria

• Mandatory: U.S. citizens or lawful permanent U.S. residents.
• Mandatory: a doctoral degree or equivalent experience in an appropriate discipline, with a minimum of five years of R&D technology experience.
• Mandatory: first-time technical founder.
• Mandatory: must not have raised more than $2 million in private sector funding at the time of application.
• Mandatory for affiliated startups: the startup must be incorporated in the U.S.
• Mandatory if selected: the selected individual must belong to an incorporated business and structure the technology business as a C Corporation rather than an LLC.
• Evaluation criteria (not eligibility): alignment with DOE priorities, Argonne capabilities, fit with the CRI model, and the strength of the market potential framework, including a clear understanding of the technology’s pathway to impact.
• Additional condition: lawful permanent residents and foreign nationals may require site access review through Argonne’s Foreign National Access Program; approval is not guaranteed and can affect the finals pitch timeline.

Participation Commitments

• Post-selection: relocate to the Chicago area and be in-residence at Argonne National Laboratory if not already in the metro area.
• Post-selection: make a full commitment to CRI, including working at Argonne and with CRI partner mentor organizations on legal, financial, marketing, and business operations development and planning.
• Post-selection: enter into a non-negotiable Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Argonne and complete CRADA paperwork.
• Post-selection: sign and implement a non-negotiable IP Management Plan specific to the innovator’s IP position before proceeding to the R&D phase.
• Post-selection: structure the technology business as a C Corporation rather than an LLC and belong to an incorporated business.
• Post-selection: engage a qualified business mentor to participate in the CRI program.
• Post-selection: complete conflict-of-interest due diligence and comply with Argonne’s Prime Contract; Argonne-affiliated innovators may be subject to an organizational conflict of interest management plan, and participation is not guaranteed if conflicts cannot be mitigated.
• Post-selection: complete site access requirements, including Foreign National Access Program review for non-U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents; REAL ID is required for a gate pass.
• No equity is taken by DOE, Argonne, or its employees in CRI startups.

Target Region

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent U.S. residents; CRI is a nationwide program., If applying as part of a startup, the affiliated startup must be incorporated in the U.S.

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Defense & Security, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Retail & Consumer, Semiconductors & Electronics, Sports & Fitness, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality, Other